Equipped To Survive Equipped To Survive® Presents
The Survival Forum
Where do you want to go on ETS?

Page 2 of 2 < 1 2
Topic Options
#168186 - 02/28/09 05:48 AM Re: buying dehydrators [Re: colorsafe]
2005RedTJ Offline
Addict

Registered: 01/07/09
Posts: 475
Loc: Birmingham, Alabama
Ben, what are your thoughts on the specs on this one?

http://www.target.com/dp/B000FFVJ3C/

I've been thinking on getting one, and this one comes pretty highly recommended. Also thinking of ordering this book to go with it, as I have zero experience with dehydrating food.

http://www.target.com/Mary-Bells-Complete-Dehydrator-Cookbook/dp/0688130240/

Top
#168423 - 03/02/09 04:55 PM Re: buying dehydrators [Re: ]
benjammin Offline
Rapscallion
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 02/06/04
Posts: 4020
Loc: Anchorage AK
Nesco are known as a good dehydrator manufacturer. 700 watts seems more than enough to get the job done. You could go cheaper, like the unit I have, but saving $30 is not a huge factor to consider. I like having a book because that's my culture ( I own a hundred cookbooks). It is handy not to have to turn on the computer and do the search when you are working on a recipe and need to check something.

If your budget will allow, go for the Nesco and I am sure you will be pleased.
_________________________
The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.
-- Herbert Spencer, English Philosopher (1820-1903)

Top
#168500 - 03/03/09 05:25 AM Re: buying dehydrators [Re: benjammin]
ch451 Offline
Stranger

Registered: 03/25/08
Posts: 8
I'll second the "Good Eats" one, made some great jerky last year, using the filters and a box fan.

Top
#169427 - 03/16/09 12:49 AM Re: buying dehydrators [Re: ch451]
yeti Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 12/16/06
Posts: 203
Loc: somewhere out there...
I have a few of the American Harvest (Harvester?) round, stackable tray types. They're pretty flexible. Extra trays and parts are high, as are the tray inserts for more liquid foods.

I have purchased a few for cheap at yard sales in order to have a parts supply and extra trays. One day, I'll also migrate to a box/tray system.

Truth be told, I've used giant homemade trays of wood and food-grade screening for use outdoors or on the porch during the summer (simple air-drying) and that worked well...even with our high humidity.
_________________________
...got YAK???

Top
#170383 - 03/31/09 01:56 AM Re: buying dehydrators [Re: ]
sodak Offline
Addict

Registered: 03/20/05
Posts: 410
Originally Posted By: BigDaddyTX
I'm not Ben, but that one looks plenty nice, if a bit of overkill; you can probably get a cheaper model actually, but you'd only save $20 and 5 star ratings are always nice when buying something. You can probably google up plenty of info on dehydrating food rather than buying a book, but if you're more comfortable reading it, by all means go for it.

My jerky marinade/instructions FWIW:

50% worchestershire
50% teriyaki
Tony's creole seasoning to taste in the marinade
A dash of sriracha for spice if you like
The big restaurant black pepper flakes.

Cut the meat into 1/4" thick strips and marinate overnight. Set the trays out over paper towels and put your meat on them from the bag with at least 3/4" between each piece (YMMV there, I found that to work best for me, you can probably fit more on there, but I'm fanatical about them drying evenly) Sprinkle liberally with the black pepper, again to taste, and let it drip dry for a little while. Once they're done dripping, or about 5 minutes, stack the trays and start dehydrating for 6-8 hours. I like em thick and chewy, if you like those thin sheetlike jerky, I have no idea how they do that. It ends up tangy and sweet and the spiciness will creep up on you as you eat more of it, but people won't be able to put it down. No matter what recipe you use, you'll love it.



Did you first cook the meat, or is it raw?

Top
#170792 - 04/07/09 06:19 PM Re: buying dehydrators [Re: colorsafe]
borninwild Offline
Stranger

Registered: 03/08/09
Posts: 4
Id say the unit doesn't matter that much, but for survival, dont make just jerky, theres not enough nutrients in it for survival. Make something called pemmican. Pemmican is made from jerky, the american indians used it for food. All it is is jerky mixed with a equal proportion of suet, or melted fat. Look up a good recipy, Pemmican contains all the nutrients one needs to survive except vitamin c. Good luck surviving

Top
#170870 - 04/08/09 03:03 PM Re: buying dehydrators [Re: borninwild]
benjammin Offline
Rapscallion
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 02/06/04
Posts: 4020
Loc: Anchorage AK
Yes, we've had several good threads about pemmican here. In fact, I think there's a few good recipes in the archives.
_________________________
The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.
-- Herbert Spencer, English Philosopher (1820-1903)

Top
Page 2 of 2 < 1 2



Moderator:  MartinFocazio, Tyber 
April
Su M Tu W Th F Sa
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30
Who's Online
0 registered (), 545 Guests and 36 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Explorer9, GallenR, Jeebo, NicholasMarshall, Yadav
5368 Registered Users
Newest Posts
Bird Flu (H5N1) found in cattle -- are Humans next
by chaosmagnet
Today at 07:18 PM
People Are Not Paying Attention
by Bingley
Today at 03:24 AM
Corny Jokes
by wildman800
04/24/24 10:40 AM
USCG rescue fishermen frm deserted island
by brandtb
04/17/24 11:35 PM
Silver
by brandtb
04/16/24 10:32 PM
EDC Reduction
by Jeanette_Isabelle
04/16/24 03:13 PM
New York Earthquake
by chaosmagnet
04/09/24 12:27 PM
Bad review of a great backpack..
by Herman30
04/08/24 08:16 AM
Newest Images
Tiny knife / wrench
Handmade knives
2"x2" Glass Signal Mirror, Retroreflective Mesh
Trade School Tool Kit
My Pocket Kit
Glossary
Test

WARNING & DISCLAIMER: SELECT AND USE OUTDOORS AND SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND TECHNIQUES AT YOUR OWN RISK. Information posted on this forum is not reviewed for accuracy and may not be reliable, use at your own risk. Please review the full WARNING & DISCLAIMER about information on this site.